GM Ignition Switch Fund Receives 120 Claims in Eight Days

The fund set up to compensate victims of crashes linked to flawed General Motors Co. ignition switches has received about 65 claims of fatalities caused by the defect.

GM previously identified 13 deaths and at least 54 crashes tied to the switches, which are being recalled in 2.6 million vehicles. The switches can be jolted out of the "on" position, thus turning off the engine and killing power to the airbag system.

Compensation lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, who set up and runs the fund, says about 120 claims were filed through last Friday. The fund began collecting submissions on Aug. 1 and will accept them through the end of 2014.

To be eligible, a claimant must show evidence that an airbag failed to deploy in a crash involving one of the vehicles on the recall list.